Surrounded by Astronaut High School students and Junior ROTC cadets are (left to right) J. B. Kump, Space Coast Military Appreciation Day Committee Chairman, Marcia Gaedcke, Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce President, Astronaut H.S. Junior ROTC booster club representative, Sandra Donahue, and Astronaut school principal, Terry Humphrey. Gaedcke presented a check to the Boosters from the proceeds of the May 17, 2014 Space Coast Military Appreciation day. Junior ROTC instructors LTC Brian Whalen (USA, Ret.) & CW3 Dodd Mitchell (USA Ret) while not pictured, teach and lead the cadets through the school year. The students are holding coins that were specially minted for veterans who attended the Military Appreciation Day event. Titusville H.S. Junior ROTC and Space Coast H.S. Junior ROTC units are also scheduled to get checks from the Military Appreciation Day committee. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — Several dozen high school Junior ROTC cadets gathered on the fields at Astronaut High School to do their “PT” (physical training) exercises.
Following their 8 a.m. workout, between 8:30 and 9 a.m., they were joined by several local adults to receive a check from one of the key organizers of the First Annual Space Coast Military Appreciation Day event, Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce President, J. B. Kump.
Gathered for the brief ceremony with the cadets was school principal, Terry Humphrey, JROTC instructors LTC Brian Whalen (USA, Ret.) & CW3 Dodd Mitchell (USA Ret), JROTC booster club member, Sandra Donahue, & Kump.
J. B. Kump
“This was one of the primary objectives of the Military Appreciation Day,” said Kump,
“We first wanted to say ‘thank you’ to those who have served or are serving and then we wanted to encourage tomorrow’s military members from the Space Coast by contributing, financially, to their educational experience as Junior ROTC cadets.”
The Military Appreciation Day event, a first of its kind for the region, was held at Searstown Mall on May 17. Hundreds of veterans and families turned out for the full day event that featured a 5k run/walk, exhibits, band music, refreshments, JROTC performances, prizes and more.
“These cadets, along with high school cadets from Titusville and Space Coast High School worked hard at the Military Appreciation Day,” said Kump,
“We are very happy we were able to raise enough to pass along to them and their leaders to allow them to do things in the year to come they would not have otherwise had the opportunity to do. We appreciate all they and their instructors did to make this a great event. We know we will see them back again for the Second Annual event.”
Kump announced there will be a Second Annual Military Appreciation Day on May 2, 2015.
